Dallas Mavericks: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Dallas Mavericks Guard Dennis Smith Jr. (1) looks on during an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Dennis Smith Jr.

With all the conversation surrounding first-year players such as Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and Ben Simmons (technically), Dennis Smith Jr’s. rookie season went fairly under the raider.

The former top-10 pick put up 15.2 points and 5.2 assists in less than 30 minutes a game last season, showcasing the elite athleticism and pick-and-roll savvy that made him so coveted heading into the draft.

The arrival of Luka Doncic may have some questioning the role Smith will play in Dallas, but the Slovenian’s IQ and passing abilities should make the game easier for his newest teammate, taking some pressure off and allowing him to get easy buckets slashing to the rim.

Couple that with a year of ball-handling duties under his belt and one of the best roll men in the league in DeAndre Jordan finally being a Maverick, and Smith should show improvement over what was already a solid opening act to what will hopefully be a long and fruitful NBA career.

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